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lynnmerizaldeorobio's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
3.75
inspiretruth's review against another edition
2.0
From the moment I saw the cover of this book and read the synopsis, I thought that this was going to be a great book; however, I was sadly disappointed. I don't believe it was anywhere near as good as All the Light We Cannot See and that there was barely any 'elegant' language (unless you count all the swearing as elegant).
The Boat Runner had definite potential, but it seemed to lack substance. The story dragged through Jacob's childhood and only touched on the 'chaos' that happened once the war began and he came of age to serve in the military. I would've loved for there to be another 100 pages about his time as a boat runner and a proper explanation for the Thumpdragon stories (who was he?!)!
I wish this weren't such a negative review, but I don't know which part I can praise. I desperately wanted to like this book and made it the whole way through, but I just couldn't get into it.
The Boat Runner had definite potential, but it seemed to lack substance. The story dragged through Jacob's childhood and only touched on the 'chaos' that happened once the war began and he came of age to serve in the military. I would've loved for there to be another 100 pages about his time as a boat runner and a proper explanation for the Thumpdragon stories (who was he?!)!
I wish this weren't such a negative review, but I don't know which part I can praise. I desperately wanted to like this book and made it the whole way through, but I just couldn't get into it.
ninaw2's review against another edition
4.0
this book surprised me. i will say it does take off quite quick which is what i always like. and even though it did, i still wasn't super into it, but throughout i got more into it. this is definitely a dark deep, gnarly WWII story (not that there's any light ones but you know). This story reminds me that ALL are affected by war not just the people on the front lines. and just all the struggle and pain and people he encounters, etc. It is just one thing after another in this book. Very small glimpses of light throughout, more at the ending of the book. Too much barfing for my liking but again just trying to bring across the reality of the situation I'm sure. The mass grave scene was pretty intense personally.
labtracks's review against another edition
3.0
I don't think this story "shone light on my darkest days" per it's description, but this was a decent story. It took me a while to get into it, I thought it started off slow despite introducing characters/setting etc. but it did pick up and get better.
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
A stunning debut with a completely original and riveting take on the European WWII genre.
Thanks to Edelweiss, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this digital ARC.
A month ago, I declared that I would be DONE with European WWII novels given that they were all seeming the same and I was completely burned out on them. Enter Elise Hooper, the author of THE OTHER ALCOTT, urging me to try this one, as she had been on an author panel with Devin Murphy at ALA and that I'd love it. I contacted Murphy and he had his publisher provide me with a digital ARC. And OH MY GOODNESS I am so glad I found this book! I will be shouting it from the rooftops as the newest must-read WWII novel for the following reasons that make it fresh, original, and necessary:
1) Set in Holland, NOT France, Germany or Poland
2) Male narrator
3) Maritime premise
4) NO ROMANCE - I'm sick of romance sweetening up the horrors of death and war
5) An eerie look into Nazi mentality and the ease at which they indoctrinated youth
6) Hope within the devastation
7) A very relevant message about refugees
I have already put this on hold at my public library for my husband, since I told him he MUST read it. He's excited about it, and I can't wait to hear what he thinks of it.
The only thing I wish for is an author's note describing how much of the story is based on fact, since I rely heavily on these pieces to help me in further reading on the topics. I am hoping there is one in the finished edition, otherwise I will be searching it out piece by piece! EDITED TO ADD THIS NOTE DIRECTLY FROM THE AUTHOR: There is an authors note essay in the back of the final version all about how and why I wrote the book.
Required reading for lovers of historical fiction and WWII narratives.
Thanks to Edelweiss, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this digital ARC.
A month ago, I declared that I would be DONE with European WWII novels given that they were all seeming the same and I was completely burned out on them. Enter Elise Hooper, the author of THE OTHER ALCOTT, urging me to try this one, as she had been on an author panel with Devin Murphy at ALA and that I'd love it. I contacted Murphy and he had his publisher provide me with a digital ARC. And OH MY GOODNESS I am so glad I found this book! I will be shouting it from the rooftops as the newest must-read WWII novel for the following reasons that make it fresh, original, and necessary:
1) Set in Holland, NOT France, Germany or Poland
2) Male narrator
3) Maritime premise
4) NO ROMANCE - I'm sick of romance sweetening up the horrors of death and war
5) An eerie look into Nazi mentality and the ease at which they indoctrinated youth
6) Hope within the devastation
7) A very relevant message about refugees
I have already put this on hold at my public library for my husband, since I told him he MUST read it. He's excited about it, and I can't wait to hear what he thinks of it.
The only thing I wish for is an author's note describing how much of the story is based on fact, since I rely heavily on these pieces to help me in further reading on the topics. I am hoping there is one in the finished edition, otherwise I will be searching it out piece by piece! EDITED TO ADD THIS NOTE DIRECTLY FROM THE AUTHOR: There is an authors note essay in the back of the final version all about how and why I wrote the book.
Required reading for lovers of historical fiction and WWII narratives.
readingismetime's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ni_albert's review against another edition
3.0
Some parts of the story were so long and drawn out that it made it hard to read. Other parts were interesting but ended as quickly as they started. I found that there were too many unlikely scenarios that happened to the main character, it really took away from the story. As did some rather large historical inaccuracies. Overall, the book was fine and I’m happy I picked it up second hand.
nancidrum's review against another edition
5.0
Chalk this up as another really great historical fiction book about WWII. I wanted to read this as we were scheduled to go to The Netherlands this month...until the shutdown with the COVID-19 virus. This book took place in lots of the towns we were to visit. It's the first book I've read in that era that dealt specifically with The Netherlands, other than Anne Frank's Diary. This book has so many different